Okay, so this chapter was almost entirely written in one day. Well, a good part of last night -I was still up at 3 am, someone save me!- and this morning. I wanted to get it done before I left to see my family. We have Raviris and Noctluna, lots of smut, and also fluff. A tad of angst too. Things are moving along. I hope you'll like this chapter. I'm not… entirely certain with every part of it, but I wanted to post something before Christmas time. Enjoy!

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Stranded

Chapter 6 – Don't speak, just scream

Ravus was a nervous wreck when Ignis reminded him he had the day off. He remembered it all too well, he had argued with Regis and a dozen maids to get the day to himself so he could enjoy some alone time with his girlfriend. Gladiolus had put him through the toughest training sessions of his life–in the hopes he wouldn't have the energy to go on with the date according to some maids talking in his back. To top it all, Ardyn had been teasing him about being such a child for getting nervous over the whole prospect. But no one understood what was going through his mind.

His father was considering letting Iris accompany him during his travels to every royal arms cache known to the Lucian royal line, but nothing was set in stone for now. And the very rare and few hours Ravus managed to have with the younger Amicitia lately had left him wanting for more. They were both growing a little bit desperate. He wanted to give her one normal day with her prince. And maybe to make her feel like a princess while he was at it. There was also the nagging voice in the back of his mind insisting on telling her the truth.

The full, undisguised truth.

Why did I say yes to that plan? He thought bitterly.

"Earth to Ravus," Gladio called, giving him a playful whack on the head.

"Hey!"

"Get that gloomy expression off your face. My sister argued with our father last night, she needs to be cheered up," the shield explained, face straight, eyes glaring at him.

Ravus nursed the spot on his head that ached from the hit, unable to find venom or even a comeback. It sounded as though Gladiolus was warming up to the idea of the crown prince dating his sister.

"While looking stupid is an improvement, you'd better put on a smile. Try it, I heard it didn't kill anyone yet."

Ravus sneered at that, although the familiar jab was welcomed in the circumstances. He was so stressed out, he might have accepted to eat fish without Ignis shoving forkfuls down his throat with Gladio holding him down. The memory reminded him how glad he was Noctis hadn't seen that with his own eyes. It was bad enough the three older guys had teamed up against him every now and then as he grew up. Not that he didn't always ask for it. He wasn't that conceited.

"Just cut down the whining. Iris can't always be your rock to face it all."

If I tell her, she'll never be my anything… he thought.

And a part of him wasn't sure how Gladiolus would take it. He hadn't been supposed to be there. Things weren't supposed to turn out that bad.

His thoughts slowed down as Gladio left him in the garden, where a few maids had set up the picnic. Iris was already sitting down on the checkered sheet, a single flower in her hair, welcoming him with a large smile. The nagging voice in the back of his mind shut down at the sight of her.

"When did you get here?" he asked, offering her his hand to pull Iris to her feet.

"At the same time my brother did."

Ravus fought against his annoyance at the mention.

"He's giving us time off. Let's enjoy it."

Her mouth was opening to extend him a real greeting, but her prince was impatient and drew her closer, leaning in for a good morning kiss. She clung to him for support, feeling a rush of desire and delicious exhilaration boiling up inside. Ravus never ever took initiatives. But he was the one who invited her for today. He made sure her favorite flowers would be waiting for her as she got home from school. He texted her back until she fell asleep on her phone. And now he was kissing her as though he hadn't seen her in days, trying to convey every sweet words he hadn't told her yet through his lips on hers and the way his tongue gently danced around hers.

"My gods," Iris whispered as they parted. "Hello to you too."

His smile made her feel too light to keep her feet on the ground.

"I've been meaning to do this for a while now," he admitted in a low voice, leaning his forehead against hers.

"What?" Iris asked.

"Kissing you on the Citadel grounds."

"That's really sweet," she sighed, her contentment turning into mischievousness as she went on. "And really unlike you. Did you eat something funny last night?"

"There's a lot of things you don't know about me'" Ravus retorted. "Like how many things I keep to myself when it comes to what I want to do with you."

He'd looked at her like that before, but never from this up close. She could feel his heat through his shirt. And she wanted to feel more. She blushed, not sure if she was supposed to feel scared or excited. The mix of both was good enough for her right now.

"I hope you do want a picnic first," she warned him, cupping his jaw with one hand and nibbling at his lower lip, pulling away before he could fully kiss her again. "I'm starving."

Breakfast went out a lot better than Ravus had expected. They'd eaten together before, but he was used to protocol and also to have his father and her brother around, watching over them. When it wasn't Regis or Gladio, it was Ignis or Jared, or even worse, Talcott.

"I mean it. Daffodils are the best."

"You can say all you want. My favorite flower is right here. And she doesn't make me sneeze in spring."

Her flushed cheeks made her look even sweeter and Ravus had to admit, his thoughts were veering away from his initial goal. He'd been meaning to give her the best day of her life. Not to woo her while he was at it. But maybe if he made her really, really happy, the truth wouldn't sound as bad? What kind of childish logic was that? Why couldn't he just come out and say it instead of making small talks and trying to make her laugh and blush like this?

"You don't have to be like that," she assured him, wrapping her arms around her legs as she shifted uneasily under his loving stare.

If he'd known that him taking the first steps made her this flustered, he would have started a long time ago.

"Like what?" Ravus shot back.

"Charming. I like the normal, every-day Ravus."

"Ouch. I'm that bad?"

"Well, it's still the same guy. It's him I was supposed to meet today."

"Disappointed?"

"Not yet…" Iris answered truthfully.

Don't tell her. Just keep things good, the voice was starting to say.

There was no point in ruining a nice day, was it?

"Okay, how do I keep you entertained to make sure not disappointment shows?"

"Well, I have an idea, but it depends on how alone we truly are…" Iris pointed out.

They agreed to run a few tests instead of inspecting the garden. It started out with cloud gazing and more talking. No politics, no mention to Noctis or either of their fathers. Iris did want to talk about his upcoming travel. Telling him she could drive in Ignis's stead if needed, to which Ravus retorted that he wasn't the one she needed to convince. He wanted her by his side whenever possible. It was her gasp that made him realize he'd said it out loud. Next thing he knew, she was lying on top of him and kissing him, hard, her lips tasting like the giddiest smile he'd felt on her yet.

"Iris, calm down," he pleaded, overwhelmed by the sudden closeness and a feeling between vulnerability and ache.

"Kiss me back, Rave."

He was too happy to comply, forgetting where they were, forgetting that this hadn't been part of his plans for the day. He'd been wanting her for so damn long.

His hands wanted to touch everyplace and her blouse, while light, was still too much of a barrier between them. He pulled it out of her shorts while the young girl unbuttoned his shirt, her fingers tentatively brushing his chest. Following the contour of his pecs, running down his undefined abs. Squeezing one arm as he rolled her to the side, hips pushing instinctively against hers. Murmurs brought them out of their haze, both teenagers panting, face flushed and lips red from making out.

"It seems we aren't quite that alone," he whispered to her, leaning his head on her chest an instant as he tried gathering the will to part from her.

"I don't want to stop," Iris murmured back, ruffling his hair.

Her caresses were gentle and her skin felt incredibly soft.

"Let's take this somewhere else," he offered before to kiss the corner of her mouth.

They tried to act nonchalant as they headed back to the palace, taking a few detours in the gardens to evade potential chaperon. Ravus's quarters were always safe and Iris had visited his room more than once. It still fell awkward to look at each other, brimming with new desires when all the memories they shared in this room were quite innocent. Their first kiss had happened here. She'd slept in his bed once, with him on the floor, after she'd snuck into the castle because of a particularly intense fight between Gladio and Clarus.

Looking at each other, they both wondered if they weren't making a mistake. Iris simply had no idea why Ravus looked that reluctant.

"This doesn't have to be awkward," Iris stated, undoing one button on her blouse. "It's not because we knew each other since we were kids that…"

Ravus felt the need to swallow, but his throat was too tight.

"Oh, come on, don't say stuff like that."

She gathered her courage and dropped the blouse on the floor. They both knew this might be their last chance before his departure. And something about the very idea felt wrong to him. But his brain wanted to give up logical thoughts. The girl he liked was standing in his room with her bra in plain view, a shy smile on her face, skin pale and flushed and...

"You love me?" Iris asked him.

"I do" he answered, voice rumbling with need.

Iris walked up to him, shivering under his eyes and trembling just a bit as he wrapped his arms around her. But she reached for him and it was more than encouragement then he needed. They didn't collapse on the bed right away, Ravus sitting with her in his lap, shrugging his shirt off. Skin on skin as their lips locked in a heated dance. He unclasped her bra on his first try, caressing her back in slow, deliberate motions. One of his hands felt rougher, thanks to the burn scars still healing, but Iris was too overwhelmed to mind it. She wasn't even sure if she could mind it. She was straddling him and kissing him back, trying to catch her breath in between the hard-long-full-tongue kisses Ravus had gotten so good at. Not that she had any comparison. He was her first crush, her first everything.

He pulled her closer, relishing her light moan as he kissed a path down her chin, to the hollow of her neck, down one clavicle. Her arms held him close, pulling on his hair when he found a spot that was particularly sensitive. Ravus liked the way she reacted to his fingers on her spine. The tension that turned to shivers and goosebumps.

"Are you… really okay with this?"

"I am. I want this."

He had no words to answer her, he didn't even trust his voice with his heart up in his throat.

When her back hit the mattress, her boyfriend towering above her, Iris had to admit she felt small and shy once more. But she let him uncover her, trying to keep her eyes on his face and not to let her modesty get the better of her. She was young and her breasts were small, perky at best, but Ravus marveled at the sight. She felt pretty under his stare, and while the first touches were nerve-wrecking, there was something incredibly liberating about letting him see and touch where no one else ever had. She felt beyond vulnerable, but also freer than usual.

"Iris…"

"Kiss me," she pleaded.

Ravus halted himself right there, feeling his guilt rushing back as her legs parted to let him closer, his hands on her thighs, her fingers drawing shivers and goosebumps on his chest. Wasn't it wrong if he didn't admit his fault? If he used her trust like this?

"There's something… something you need to know."

She frowned at him and his throat suddenly felt tighter than before. It felt so right to be here, this close to her and he wanted nothing more than to hide his face against her chest and kiss her till her moans and gasps would turn to screams that would draw the entire palace to the door.

But she'll learn it eventually, he thought.

Ignis had had news of Noctis's activities. His brother was in the North, in Tenebrae, siding with the warrior princess Lunafreya Nox Fleuret has bodyguard and first lieutenant of her army. Rumour had it, the princess was coming to Lucis because that was were the empire was running to avoid her.

She needs to know. She might just… understand, won't she?

"Is this about your birthmark?"

"What?! No, that has nothing to do with… Who even told yo…?! No, I won't get sidetracked, I should have told you a while ago already."

His hands on her suddenly felt cold and Iris turned two shades paler.

"What… What's wrong?"

"I… You know, when Noctis attacked me… I did something before that. Something I…"

The softness in her eyes shifted and Ravus fought against the knot in his throat.

"Noctis didn't… You have to understand I was at the end of my rope. Ardyn said…"

She pushed him away, all the gentleness gone from her. And he should have known her thoughts would go to her own brother.

"Speak now and speak fast, because if I'm understanding what I think I am, you're in deep shit, your highness."

"Iris…"

She screamed when he reached for her. And his heart break as he finally realized just how wrong his decision had been. He hadn't only betrayed his family. In a haze, he explained the plan they had. He tried not to cry and beg for forgiveness, because he didn't see how she could forgive this. How could he even think she would…?

"You risked my brother's life so you could get rid of Noctis?! All because you were insecure and still listening to that creep!"

Her first outraged scream gathered people to the door indeed.

…

It was the last night before Prompto, Noctis and Luna would leave for Lucis. They were heading to Accordo first, since it was the most direct route for Tenebrae and Gentiana/Shiva insisted on getting along with the Hydraen. Noctis and Luna hadn't had a lot of chance to talk since the ordeal with Shiva. Monica was going to hold the fort for much longer than she'd bargained for and Luna had planning to do while Noctis was training the troop even more intensively than before. Prompto was his right hand man now and both of them got along better. They would share a beer every now and then and although Prompto was still a pain when it came to keep a conversation civil, Noctis was appreciated the fact he could let his guard down around the man.

Lunafreya had retired for the night earlier than him and was already lying in bed when Noctis walked in. It was starting to feel really weird to have people still calling him Cael. He pushed his few questions aside, quickly walking up to the bed where his princess laid.

"You took your time," she observed, not even looking up at him.

Noctis kneeled by her side, leaning down till he was just above her, replacing a strand of her hair.

"I didn't mean to keep you waiting," he apologized, his lips grazing her neck.

There was something all too familiar about those gestures and while they had promised each other to spend some quality time together for their last night in Tenebrae, Lunafreya felt a strange reaction coursing through her. Anger mixing with a longing that wouldn't be satisfied by heat and caresses. She turned her back on him, not saying a word.

"What's wrong?" he asked, wondering if he'd miss a sign. "Are you sulking?"

"No… I just don't feel like…"

He couldn't remember a moment when Luna had refused him since they'd started sleeping together. Of course, he didn't make advances on her every single night. And when she was the one taking the initiative, they'd ended up having sex whether he felt up for it or not.

"This is the last time we're sure to have real privacy…"

"I know," Luna retorted. "But it's starting to feel so casual…"

Noctis lied down next to her, sneaking one arm under her waist, gently turning her around so she would face him. Much to his own surprise, she looked shaken up. His heart missed a beat and his mind went back over the few last days. Did something really out of the ordinary happen? Was there an anniversary of something he didn't know of?

"Casual?" he repeated, his voice carefully tempered to a soft whisper.

"Like you're servicing me as the soldier that warms my bed."

Her hands covered her face as she spoke and she blinked too fast. Tears were threatening to fall.

"Hey, don't cry, that's not… I'm not servicing you. My shift has ended and we… we're lovers."

She mouthed the word, testing it, and from the look in her eyes, he could tell she was fighting against the tears. He shuffled closer to her, kissing her forehead, a gesture that nearly broke her. She knew he cared, but she was terrified to know how deep that caring went.

"I said no strings," Luna started. "We're a team, working towards the same goal. Partners. And now I'm using your life force to get stronger, claiming what should have been your legacy."

He tensed at that, but didn't approve of her words.

"I willingly accepted to go through with it," Noctis reminded her. I can't forge covenants. If you can, you will help protect Lucis, no matter how little you care for… my father's people. Let me help."

"That's not… We've been so good at keeping things apart. But the lines are all blurred and now I'm afraid…"

If she let him walk back into Lucis, wouldn't he find people he knew, wouldn't he miss home too much and refuse to stay with her after their travel? What if Prompto gave up on them and let Noctis take the entire toll of the covenant on his shoulders?

"I love you, Noct," she blurted out, unable to hold it back anymore.

Her confession hit him like a ton of bricks. Something deep inside him had known. He wasn't blind. But… Could it be real? Wasn't it his imagination playing tricks on him? He had been tricked into getting exiled from his own country for the attempted murder of his younger brother. He was a defect prince and a barely trained mage. He was an attentive lover, but did she really need that when she could have anyone she wanted?

He couldn't answer her right away, as he tried to adapt himself to the idea that she could love him for him. Just for that weird Cael runaway she'd taken under her wing, who was taciturn, but also protective and willing to please at all cost.

"I'm scared, Noct," she breathed through the tears that ran down her face.

"I'm terrified," he whispered back. "You have to know I love you too. So much. I held it back, because I thought just keeping what we had was enough. I never meant…"

She cut him off right there, smiling a bit. "I know. Me too."

"Dry those tears now," Noctis asked her.

"I can't… I didn't want to cry to begin with, but I bottled up my feelings for so long, it's like a broken dam."

"But we love each other? We've said it. What else do you need?"

"The people I love… They either die or disappear. At least usually."

Noctis gulped down. They were the same. So scared of losing each other that they would pretend like they didn't belong together to begin with. At least, not in the deeper, most meaningful meaning.

"I won't disappear. And I won't leave you either. At least, not willingly."

"I don't want promises. I don't want to be that kind of girl. I want to smile and not to cry, but…"

He hugged her close, trying to get his mind around the fact the woman he loved loved him back.

"Can you say it again?"

Luna sniffed as she looked up into his eyes.

"That you… How can you even love me?" he ended up asking, sounding incredulous.

"How can I not? You're kind, and selfless and strong, even headstrong. You helped me stay realistic during the past few months. You saved me. And you did keep me warm at night."

"This country is far too cold," Noctis teased her.

She chuckled at that and felt whatever was left of her anger and fear vanishing.

"Noct… Would you kiss me?"

She sounded shy and that side of her felt new. As though things had changed between them. He had kissed so many times already, she really didn't need to ask. But he found an even better answer and couldn't help himself.

"If you're inclined, I'll make love to you, Lunafreya."

The princess blinked.

"Wasn't that what we've been doing for the past months?"

"I don't know if I'd call it that," Noctis explained. "Somehow, I was always… holding something back."

"Me too. If you were to leave or vanish, I couldn't… Wait a minute," she almost ordered him as he moved in for a kiss. "No tongue, no teeth, no… Just keep it sweet. As though this was the first time."

They both blushed, having the impression they'd skipped every normal step. He wanted to ask her if neither of the thousand kisses he'd given her already had been sweet, but deep down he knew why she asked this. It still made him more self-aware and he pushed the guilt away.

"I… I can try."

He cupped her face with one hand, nestling her head in his hold, leaning on top as he kept his other arm around her. Luna reached for his face, feeling just as hesitant as him. His lips brushed against hers in a butterfly kiss, the touch blooming into a gentle dance. He kept it slow, tugging on her lower lip, stroking her cheek, kissing the corner of her mouth, growing more demanding as she started massaging his scalp. He broke away from her with a smile on his face when Luna's tongue darted out.

"You said no…!"

"I'm sorry," she cut him off, fighting against her own smirk. "I… I want more."

Her hands were trailing a path down his sides and his smile turned cocky. Her blush was enough to convince him and he raised himself up long enough to help her out of her night gown.

"I need you," Noctis breathed against her lips. "But first, I'm going to do what I've meant to the first night you pulled me into your bed."

Her eyes shone with curiosity and she didn't have to beg for an answer.

"I'm going to worship every inch of your body, Luna."

The notion sent a jolt through her system and he muted any sensible protest for his choice of words. His heart could burst out of his chest right now, because he couldn't remember a time where he'd love someone so much and had the right to show it. To the full extent of what love meant. Their next kisses were nothing but heat and passion, her hands tugging on his clothes, discarding them one by one. When their mouth parted, it was for the exiled prince to kiss her neck, deliberately slow, alternating between loving bites, gentle licks and all the nuzzling he dared. Luna arched and moaned under his touch, her reactions stronger than usual. But while she seemed to melt under his lips, she drew circles and threads of shiver all over him. She reached for his cock, eliciting a dozen groans from him but Noctis didn't let her tease him for long. He wanted to drive her crazy first.

"Keep me in your arms," she begged as he raised himself higher, the cool air reaching between them.

"So needy."

She blushed and the flush was reaching her neck.

"Sor…"

"No, Luna, I like it. I love this side of you. Just let me set the pace for this time. I won't let go of you," he swore to her.

His head leaned back to the crook of her shoulder and she felt his nose against her skin. His hands splayed on her back as he pulled her chest to his face. And the worshipping started, one gasp turning into moan at a time. Luna had been certain he'd kissed her everywhere already, but she felt more naked than usual. Hyper-sensitive too. His hands held her with more than simple need. He felt possessive, and caring and more intent on pleasing her than ever. She tried to hold his head to one spot, tried to muffle her reactions. A flick of the tongue could have been enough to send her over the edge. He kissed a scar under her left breast, kissed every scar his eyes could see.

He'd told her once why he didn't mind any of them. "This scar kept you alive. You healed and now you're here… with me."

They had argued and he had felt foolish for letting her see how much he cared, but Luna was quick to dismiss any words exchanged in the heat of passion. Now, she was realizing how long he'd loved her. How long had she looked at him and been blind? His hands slipped down her sides, gripped her hips, jerking her up before to turn back to soft caresses.

The words they exchanged felt too simple. She wanted his arms, his warmth and in the haze, he couldn't pull away from her, not even to think about the consequences of rushing things. His first thrust was rough, a race for connection, but she welcomed the slight pain. It mirrored the ache in their chest. The need to break the last barriers between them.

"Slower?"

She hummed in his ear, nibbling at his earlobe as she matched his rhythm to perfection. His arms made her feel precious, the sloppy kisses on her collarbone drawing a smile on her face, his hips driving her to lustful madness. Her arms couldn't have lied limply at her side as she absorbed it all, but Luna couldn't accept injustice, even when he'd insisted on setting their pace. She pinched one of his nipples, relishing his shuddering gasp as she clenched around him.

Had he ever said her name in such a throaty voice before? Her heart was soaring just from the sounds of his ragged breaths.

"Turn us around."

"I can't last much longer…"

"Please, Noct."

He didn't part from her as they shifted places. There was an instant of pure pain, their body begging for release, but Luna held it off, settling for an uneven rhythm that denied him climax. He almost whimpered when she pushed him back down on the bed.

"Feeling lonely?" she teased, holding his left arm next to his head.

"I don't get to be held? After how much you insisted?"

His voice was rough now, his eyes barely holding on to hers. Luna reached behind her, feeling him tense at the new touch.

"I am holding you," she observed, squeezing him.

"I didn't mean… Oh shit," He swore, hips trashing.

Through sheer will, Noctis turned them to the side, focusing on his jerks and thrusts as he claimed her mouth for a kiss that mimicked their desperate motions. Her scream of pleasure was music to his ears and he barely remembered he couldn't stay inside her this time. Her legs were wrapped around him, he could barely sense her hands on him. Was she touching his face? His back? Was he still holding her right? He was a tangle of shivers and raw nerves.

"Luna…" Longing and warning mixed together, his fingers reaching between them.

They were rough against her clit, promising her a mind-shattering orgasm and she nearly lost it right there.

"I want it, Noct," she whispered. "I love you, all of you."

He had more sweet words for her, although he wasn't sure they turned out right as he spoke. She was pulling on his hair and he was kissing her again, her lips, her chin, her nose, and his thoughts faded as the tension ripped through him and her teeth dug into his neck.

Luna held on to him even tighter, her own release wracking through her body. Mind ablaze with pleasure.

For the longest time, they stayed wrapped around each other, still connected, still shivering, Luna sighing with contentment. Noctis kissed her once more, painfully slow, maybe to erase the rush they were still riding with something sweeter? She whined into his mouth and he whined right back.

Parting for air was torture, but the smile they shared warmed their heart.

"We can't sleep in a tent," she stated, trying to hold back her lazy laugh.

She felt so relaxed now, she didn't want to move, unless it meant getting closer to him.

"We can't leave tomorrow, you mean! If I'd known…"

The regrets in his voice made her realize how much more she wanted with him. And not only sex.

"I should have told you on that first night," she confessed.

"You weren't ready to risk your heart. At least not… openly. I was the same. I've lost the people I loved so many times. But you're the first…"

Noctis was sure how to put how he felt into words. He had been with other girls, but the connection had never felt that strong. It had never hurt this much to think of a life without them. But without her.

"You're making me so much stronger than I feel. And bolder too."

"Oh really?" he asked her teasingly.

"I've never let anyone… this close before. To know parts of me I didn't even know about. It used to scare me, but now I feel…"

"Lighter?" Noctis suggested.

She nodded, stroking his hair as he gathered her close. They snuggled together for an instant, enjoying each other's warmth and trying to fully come back from their love-making. But since they'd admitted their feelings, neither of them wanted to leave things unclear. They had dealt with ambiguity long enough.

"What now?" her lover inquired.

"Well, I've already tied you to me in too many ways. Asking for anything more…"

"I'm yours if you're mine," he cut her off, sounding dead serious.

Luna couldn't believe that blush that came on her cheeks, not after everything they'd shared and done together.

"I… I want to be yours, Noct. And in a way, I am. But Tenebrae…"

"Did I ask you to give up on Tenebrae? I won't take you away from your duties. I'm not looking for princess Lunafreya. I want my lady Luna, whenever the princess has enough free time to look my way."

She forced her laugh, trying to channel calm to her heart, which was beating too fast. Hot and crude Noctis was one thing. But the sweet, charming version of the man? She wasn't sure she could handle that.

"I'm happy to look at you at any time. But I don't want to keep you from Lucis… When we go back, if we can fix things…"

"Don't. Don't push me away for a reason like that, Luna. I will always miss Lucis… But I don't need it to be happy. And I never asked you to fix things for me."

"Don't expect me not to try it. All I'm saying is… Right now, we love each other, because we need each other. I gave you shelter and…"

It was no surprise why they'd waited this long to fess up about their feelings.

Noctis stole a kiss and a few more, until she stopped raising questions about the possibility of their love falling apart.

"Enjoy the present, Luna. Tell me what you'd want. Outside of the covenants, the protection against Niffs and keeping Prompto serious," he suggested.

She pondered his question and gave him a doubtful look.

"I don't want this to sound weird," Luna started. "But maybe we could… go on a date or two? If we can pretend we're not royalty that is…"

His face fell a bit. A wave of shame engulfed him.

"That's… of course we can. Why didn't you ask before?!"

"Because we were keeping it casual."

Noctis had to admit that all the secrets they kept didn't help in building a "normal" relationship. He had been content with holding her in his arms as often as possible. But he had been wanting more, while refusing to ask. They had confided in so many things, it seems crazy to admit how little they had talked of what they wanted when it came to themselves. Not the country or the cause they served.

"Are we coming clean to your army too?"

"Our army" she corrected him. "We really should, especially before we leave. But if we do, we tell them everything. About us and about your real name."

She knew how hard that would be for him, but he didn't raise any objection. On the next morning, they were shocked to hear huzzahs from the Tenebraean soldiers. Wedge actually pumped his fist, Biggs hanging his head. It was clear to see who had lost their little bet.

"You all knew?" Luna mused, appalled that she hadn't been better at hiding it.

"If they didn't, you were loud enough last night to confirm their doubts," Prompto mocked them.

"Careful, bro, or I'll kick you off the airship on our way to Altissia," Noctis warned.

"What can I say, the room I asked is too close to yours. And don't worry, I won't ask for details. For someone so prude, you sound quite… energetic."

Noctis punched him in the shoulder for good measure, unable to hold back his grin. He should have been worried for what was waiting for them, but he felt too happy to care. Luna's smile had never looked so bright and knowing she felt this much joy was all that mattered to him right now.

To be continued…

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I will be with my family for the next few days, so don't expect updates before a moment. Unexpected is the next on my list, and surely the last thing I'll update for 2017. I hope you have a nice holiday time. My best wishes to you all. As always, review makes me happy. :D